Our Very Own Earl

We have been going to Hudson for over 20+ years, long before we had a home in the area. Walking up & down Warren Street is one of my very favorite activities of all time. Amazing vintage shops, places to eat, people watch, pick up a new book, get coffee, more people watching. You get the idea. Super easy to spend the afternoon meandering. Over the years we would spot art being sold in shops and on the street, all signed EARL. Usually painted on boards, some old, some new, always varying sizes. Often people, animals, things. They would catch my eye but for whatever reason, we did not buy one. Until the other day. I had heard the artist of these lovely, quirky pieces, Earl Swanigan, had recently died. At age 54. Something about that struck me. Maybe it has to do with him being younger than me. On our May stay I had heard of his passing and it made me long to have one in homage to him. Art is such an incredible legacy to leave the world when you are gone. Everything we have ever heard or I have read about this man is he lived life on his own terms. I say bravo to that! This sweet little bird caught my attention instantly when I saw it in a shop that has stacks and stacks of his works. It flew home with me as a little surprise to TPS. It snuggled right in on the windowsill between the two green wicker chairs on the front sunporch. A little piece of Earl. A man we did not know but am sure we would have enjoyed breaking bread with and getting to know. His little bird can watch over things while we are away. It can keep the two lions out front company.